WD or Helper Springs

[mchasal]

Thanks for the input everybody. I'll be looking at WD hitches now.

Mike

 

[Joe1]

So what if anything did you end up getting, WD Hitch, Helper Springs or both?

 

[mchasal]

I haven't done anything yet, but I intend to get a WD hitch first, probably an Equalizer, and then see how it goes.

 

[TOMDUALLY]

Try loading your tractor on backwards to lessen your tounge weight.

 

[mchasal]

Yes, I've loaded it both ways. When I have the brushhog on I load it backward, but the tounge weight is actually good, it's just that the sag is a bit much.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[George2615]

I didn't see where you mentioned what kind of truck you have but if its an older model the springs may be getting weak and worn out. Adding a WD hitch to a vehicle with worn out springs is not the solution. The suspension and shocks have to be good to start with. Another option would be to go to your local spring shop and have then check and re arch or replace your springs if needed. They can also add a leaf to beef up your suspension. I had my springs rebuilt and an extra leaf added on an old 88 suburban I had years ago. They had worn out and the rear was sagging with almost any tongue weight. The front sagged with the weight of a snow plow. I made the appointment and they had me in and out in an hour and a half for all four springs.

 

[mchasal]

Thanks George, but it's a new truck, so worn out springs shouldn't be the problem. I refrained from listing it because I know that will bring the "get a bigger truck" cries out, but here goes, remember it is rated to tow 6100 pounds (with a WD hitch) and has a 1400# payload capacity.


It's a



2005




Nissan



Frontier!

All right, let the chastisement begin!

Mike

 

[HomeBrew2]

Yep, same thing with my '01 Exploder ... 200# on the ball lowers the rear ... a few hundred pounds more doesn't change it much, it's just the first 2 or 3 inches that are "soft". That's why I went with the air bags.

 

[George2615]

No problem Mike,
Get yourself the WD hitch and you should be fine. It will help transfer the tongue weight to the entire tow vehicle suspension instead of just the rear taking the load.
George

 

[InlineDieselFan]

Mike,

I won't chastise you for your little truck it fits your needs and your are only towing your tractor at basically max load shot distances and not at highway speeds. I have a friend that has a 2004 Nissan truck, darn nice.

As you have already decided correctly to get the WD hitch very good. But even with that you may sag the rear end down some, or quite abit. If so as was mentioned you could go with a Timbren (Timbren Suspension Enhancement Systems) spring they are only about $150.00 and take about 15 minutes to put on.

I bought some for my dually when I was camper shopping, so that the truck would stay more level with that 4,000 pounds in the bed. They do not touch the axle when the truck is empty, and will help to keep it level when loaded.

One down side is when you have a light load (for me empty 2,500 lb or so trailer), where the spring is just touching or bouncing off of the axle. At that point it does get a bt rough for ride. My dad put them on his Chev 1/2 ton and loves them when he tows his trailer to the dump. No one is flashing thier high beams at him, and when the trailer is off he does not even know they are there.

steve